Trump, Talarico rally voters in Texas Senate race as midterm elections approach

LUBBOCK, Texas (WOAI/KABB) — President Donald Trump campaigned for Republican Ken Paxton at two stops in Texas on Tuesday, while Democrat James Talarico held a separate rally in Lubbock, as both sides worked to turn out voters one week before Election Day.

The visits come as the race for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat draws national attention. A new N+ Univision/YouGov poll released Tuesday showed Talarico at 50% and Paxton at 45%.

Trump spoke at the Port of Corpus Christi before traveling to Lubbock, where he again urged supporters to elect Paxton, the Texas attorney general.

“I’ve been doing this stuff for a week and a half, two weeks. I did more rallies than I’ve ever done for myself,” Trump said in Lubbock.

In Corpus Christi, the president said he needed Paxton’s vote in Washington to support his agenda.

“We need that vote. Otherwise, all of the great things we’ve done are going to change very quickly,” Trump said.

Trump also criticized Talarico over issues including immigration, gun rights, and oil and gas. He accused the Democrat of wanting open borders and called him a “freak.”

At a separate rally in Lubbock, Talarico called for change and appealed to Democrats, Republicans and independents. He focused on the cost of living, criticizing Trump’s tariffs and rising expenses for Texas families.

“We have an affordability crisis because we have a corruption crisis. But we can change that in this election,” Talarico said.

Talarico also criticized Paxton and his wealthy supporters, including Elon Musk. He pointed to the Texas House’s 2023 vote to impeach Paxton, which included support from members of both parties. Paxton was later acquitted by the Texas Senate.

“Republicans know just as well as Democrats that there is no place for guys like Ken Paxton in Texas,” Talarico said.

Talarico told supporters his campaign was welcoming people from across the political spectrum.

“We are done with the extremism and the corruption. We’re done with the politics of division, and we are ready for something new,” he said.

With control of the U.S. Senate at stake, both parties are working to get their supporters to the polls before Election Day. Trump delivered that message at his Lubbock rally.

“Every single person has to go out and vote,” he said. “You have to. You just have to go out and vote.”

Early voting in Texas ends Friday, Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.